If you have the ability to measure the outer diameter of the barrel near the muzzle I'd appreciate it. Thank you

Does anyone happen to know if the hunter barrel is thicker than the lite barrel. Also is there a place with a side by side of all the rifle specs? I've seen the factory brochure but its not the most clear.

The sporter certainly has had my attention. I thought about picking one up and grabbing a lite stock for hunting to swap to for the rough stuff. I may go that route. Sadly I have the eye for weird but good calibers. Most of me knows an -06 would be just fine and way easier to pick up.

My only issue with rebarreling is the factory barrel is supposed to be very accurate. I don't want to wind up with less than I'd have originally. I have looked at the 260 but thought the extra case capacity would help. Someone is trying to move a sporter in 260 locally so I may see if we can work something out.

Oh yeah, I'm sure it could be done but I'm certainly not going looking for bear with it. Like you said, antlers and paper.  🙂